| There is uncertainty in life and insurance is | | | | independent regional health insurance companies in |
| designed to lessen the burden of this uncertainty. | | | | the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. It |
| The principle of operation is simple, the insurer | | | | achieved its present form in 1982 after the |
| (that is Blue Cross Insurance company or Blue | | | | merger of Blue Cross association and the national |
| Shield in this case) pays the medical costs of the | | | | association of Blue Shield plans.Blue Cross and Blue |
| insured (you) if the insured becomes sick due to | | | | Shield plans are very closely linked to managed |
| covered causes like disease, disability, accident etc. | | | | health care in the United States. The association is |
| In return the insured (you) pays a monthly or | | | | also the administrator for Social Security in a large |
| annual premium (a monetary amount usually | | | | number of states. Traditionally Blue Cross |
| around 200 dollars a month, however the exact | | | | provides hospital coverage and Blue Shield |
| amount varies according to the insurance plan | | | | provides medical coverage.In different states Blue |
| purchased) to the insurer. As a general rule, the | | | | Cross and Blue Shield companies have different |
| larger number of people in the insurance group, | | | | names. The names of the companies are |
| the lesser is the premium. This is due to the | | | | Wellpoint, Carefirst, Healthcare service |
| distribution of costs.Blue Cross Insurance is an | | | | corporation, Highmark, Premera, The Regence |
| insurance company providing health insurance in | | | | Group, Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield of various |
| the United States and Canada. Blue Cross | | | | states, La Cruz Azul de Puerto Rico, Triple-S (in |
| Insurance was started by a university president | | | | Puerto Rico) and The Canadian Association of Blue |
| Justin Ford Kimball. It started out in a very humble | | | | cross Plans ( In Canada).It is very important to |
| way as hospital care for school teachers in Dallas | | | | read all the fine print of the insurance plans as |
| in 1929. The premium was only 6 dollars a year! | | | | health insurance is usually required in cases of |
| Within 10 years of its formation the Blue Cross | | | | emergencies like accidents or during illness. During |
| symbol was adapted by the American Hospital | | | | such a situation it would come as a nasty surprise |
| Association. Presently one of every three | | | | if you find out a particular clause which denies |
| American is covered by Blue Shield or Blue Cross | | | | insurance. Also the important phone numbers |
| making them the largest health care provider in | | | | should be noted down for such emergencies.Keith |
| the United States.Presently Blue Cross and Blue | | | | George always writes about valuable news & |
| Shield Association is a trade organization linking 38 | | | | reviews. |